Great Lakes Aquarium- volunteer divers

[javelindan]

I agree.  For starters, they need to get a schedule of varied exhibits to give people a reason to return.  Beyond that, they need a number of complementary revenue streams.

Take the MN Zoo for example.  They have the primary "traditional" zoo facilities, freshwater and marine exhibits, dolphins (with shows/feedings), the Zoo School (grant/research $, tuition, etc.), an IMAX theatre, and finally good eating facilities/food.  The MN Zoo also happens to be in a metro area of 2.5 million people...

For the GL Aquarium, there are many complementary offerings which could be pursued...  To start, I would think eating facilities and marine exhibits.  Beyond that they should perhaps consider educational/research facilities (perhaps affiliations with the UofM, UMD, etc.), an IMAX and/or Omnimax theatre, a Shipwreck Museum, dinner cruise operations, dive operations, etc.

I've been there once but I wouldn't feel compelled to head back right away unless there are other things to see/do.